Vietnam has appointed a new Minister of Agriculture and Environment as part of a government restructuring aimed at consolidating agricultural and environmental management under a single authority, according to a report from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The National Assembly approved the nomination of Trinh Viet Hung as minister in April 2026, following the merger of the former Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The new structure creates a unified body responsible for agricultural production, natural resource management, and environmental protection. According to the USDA's FAS, this institutional change aims to strengthen coordination between sectors that directly impact agricultural systems, land use, and water management. Authorities hope that this integrated ministry will foster more effective policy implementation, particularly in areas such as climate change adaptation, resource conservation, and sustainable agricultural development. The Vietnamese agricultural sector remains a key contributor to export revenues, with fruits, vegetables, and other horticultural products making up a significant portion of the country's trade portfolio. Source: fas.usda.gov Photo: mae.gov.vn